Crisis and Resilience Fund policy

5.1 After May half-term 2026, Free School Meal (FSM) holiday vouchers will no longer be issued to schools, early years or colleges.

5.2 In the first instance, eligible families will be directed to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme which provides:

• free holiday club places with meals for children eligible for Free School Meals;
• access to food provision delivered through HAF partners; and
• additional wrap‑around support where available.

5.3 Where they are not eligible for HAF (for example due to age) or where there is no locally accessible HAF provision available, families will be signposted to local community provision such as ‘kids eat free initiatives’, community cafes and community fridges.

5.4 Where a household cannot access HAF support or local community provision and has experienced a financial shock, they can apply for a Crisis Payment. Crisis Payment support in these circumstances is exceptional, time‑limited, and only available where all the following apply:

• the family is experiencing an unexpected drop in income or unforeseen emergency cost that directly affects their ability to meet essential food needs;
• there is evidence of immediate risk of harm or hardship to a child or household;
• HAF provision is not available, not accessible, or insufficient to meet the urgent need; and
• the household meets the wider eligibility criteria for Crisis Payments as set out in this policy

5.5 Crisis Payments will not be awarded for general or ongoing food costs, nor to replace the previous FSM voucher entitlement.